Hello again. This chapter has a lot of Era and Klaus and a little bit of Jeremy. I warn you now that this chapter has a tiny bit of sexual content, violence, and animal cruelty. Not by Klaus or Era of course. That was your warning. I want to thank all those who reviewed. Now I want you guys to give me your opinion on whom Era should end up with if she ends up with either. I want your opinion again now that you've seem her interact with both Jeremy and Klaus. I've never done any remotely sexual scenes really, so forgive me if it sucks. Now on with the story.
Era was being shaken awake the next morning gently. Klaus loomed over her with a smirk on his lips. He had two cups in his hand, along with a pack of her favorite smokes. She grinned at him, took a smoke out of the pack, and lit it. She grabbed the cup. It smelled of coffee and blood. Klaus crawled into bed beside her. Era tasted the coffee laced with blood.
"Mmmm. AB-…Virgin blood. Trying to butter me up?" She asked. He began to kiss her neck. Klaus would never admit it out loud, but in a way he was. He wanted to remind her of the way it used to be. He wanted to make sure that she never walked away from him again. Era knew this, but kept quiet about it. She was terrified that he'd do something in his jealousy to make her walk away.
"Only the best for you," He murmured against her skin.
"I can see that. Do you know how difficult it is to find virgin's blood in this day and age?" He took the cigarette from her and took a drag. She admired him briefly in the way his hair fell slightly over his face, and the way his lips curled around the cigarette as he took a pull.
"It wasn't too difficult," He replied, smirking. Era laughed.
"Oh yes. All you have to do is put on that charm and all the little virgins just want your dick to pop that cherry," She whispered, close to his ear. Her tongue stuck out and licked his earlobe slightly. Klaus hooked his leg over hers, discarding the cigarette and setting the coffee on the nightstand. He pushed her on his back.
"But we both know who my dick likes," He pressed his erection against her thighs. It throbbed against her skin, making her shudder, "We both know who can satisfy me….who can satisfy you." Era gazed up at him, a small smile present on her lips. She leaned up and kissed him. His hand found his way to her ribs, and he trailed his fingers across the underside of her breast.
"Have any of those boys made you feel like I can?" He murmured. Era shook her head.
"Can any of those whores make you feel like I can?" She countered softly. Her hand reached up to feel him through his shorts. His breath shuddered. It was so silent that only a vampire would notice. All of a sudden, Klaus's hand came up to grasp her throat. To a human, it would have cut off their air supply. To a vampire, the pressure was comforting. Era gazed at him questioningly. She knew he wasn't trying to hurt her, only trying to get her undivided attention.
"You will never touch or allow a man to touch you again. Do you understand me, Era?" His voice was soft and deadly. His eyes never left hers, and she nodded slightly.
"And you will never lay a hand on another woman. If you do, I will rip out her guts and play with them." Klaus smiled. That was his girl. The door opened, but they didn't move from their position.
"Ugh, I knew you two would be all over each other," Rebekah said.
"Then why didn't you knock, Rebekah dear?" Klaus asked, annoyed at being interrupted.
"Do I ever knock? You wouldn't have answered regardless." She walked over to the window and opened the curtains. Era hissed as the light hit her face.
"What is it you need?" Era asked, sitting up. Klaus lay back down beside her.
"I couldn't very well have you both lounge about all day. Now get up. We're going out today. Klaus, you aren't going to be here very long, and we will spend time together as a family. Get dressed," Rebekah snapped and walked out. Klaus sighed heavily. He understood his sister's want to have a family day, but he had hoped to spend quality time with Era.
"My sister." He shook his head.
"Can you blame her?" Era asked, starting to put her pants on. Klaus began to follow her actions.
"No, I suppose not."
Rebekah stood at the bottom of the stairs, tapping her foot impatiently. Damon and Elena stood to the side cautiously. Era and Klaus arrived fully dressed.
"Look…the demented couple has come out of their room," Damon drawled. Klaus didn't even spare him a glance.
"What shall we do today?" Era asked Rebekah. The girl clapped her hands.
"There is a fair for the next couple of days for Founder's Day. I figured since Klaus is leaving in a few days, we need to spend at least half the day together." It wasn't a question but a demand.
"So Klaus isn't staying. How disappointing," Damon said sarcastically. Elena elbowed him to shut up. Klaus finally paid attention, and turned towards Damon.
"The only reason I haven't killed you yet, is because I promised your brother. Keep talking however and I'll order your brother to kill himself. Keep your mouth shut and mind your own business," Klaus said arrogantly. Damon narrowed his eyes, wondering what how he could hurt this man in as many ways possible.
"C'mon." Elena pulled him from the room quickly.
"You are such a gentleman," Era said. Klaus chuckled at her. Rebekah rolled her eyes and walked out, Era and Klaus following moments later.
!
The carnival smelled of sweat and fried Twinkies. Era sniffed slightly as the smell of food of all kinds assaulted her senses.
"Ah humanity… they always some up with the most interesting ways to entertain themselves," Klaus said, watching teenagers twirl around on the Tilt-O-Whirl. Rebekah had just run off after seeing Matt, to which Era promptly rolled her eyes. Her lecture about family time had gone out the window, and the vampire was actually wondering if the vampire might care for the human. She watched as the cotton candy twirled. Her lover followed her eyes.
"Want some?" He asked. She nodded, and he was back within seconds with a pink, sticky mess of fluff. Era smiled as it melted to sugar in her mouth, Klaus took her hand and led her down the line of venders. Some stopped to stare at the beautiful couple who seemed to have been plucked right out of a fairytale. They seemed untouchable in their innocence of anything but each other. Had anyone taken a good look into their eyes, past the tenderness for each other, they would have seen the steely gaze of a predator. They didn't observe the coil of muscles under the skin showing strength; or the slight growth of fangs in hunger as the smell of blood beneath skin wafted in their noses.
"Win a prize for your girlfriend?" A loud vender said beside her. Klaus gazed briefly at the man, then to the largest toy there: a big purple teddy bear about half of Era's height. He nodded and paid the vender. The man gave Klaus 3 balls to try and knock over the tin bottles. It would only take one try. He took aim briefly before throwing the ball with strength. The three tin bottles fell to the ground broken, and only a holy in the tent's plastic material was left. The vender's mouth dropped open.
"Holy shit, kid." Klaus paid him no mind.
"Give me the purple bear." The vender hurried to follow his request, terrified that the guy would use his strength on him. Klaus presented Era with the bear. She smiled in return.
"I want to go on the Ferris Wheel," She told him. He grinned at her.
"Go ahead. I have to check with Rebekah about something." She eyed him suspiciously. He only kissed her cheek and disappeared into the crowd. Era shook her head and headed towards the machine with her bear in tow. The man took her money and she climbed into the metal cage, setting her bear beside her. The metal clanked again, signaling the arrival of someone else.
"Hello, Era." Her eyes snapped to the deep brown eyes of Jeremy. Era quickly looked for any sign of Klaus and then to demand he leave before he was seen. The ride started before she could open her mouth.
"What are you doing here, Jeremy? Do you have a death wish? If Klaus sees you…"
"You left me sitting alone last night," He said. She looked at him incredulously.
"Did you expect me to keep Klaus waiting until the dance was finished?"
"I expected you to answer my question," He said simply, "You looked like you were considering it before we were interrupted." She knew he was talking about his offer to have 'fun' with him.
"Maybe it's a good thing I didn't. Klaus is here now, and will gut you if he sees you after last night," Era hissed. Jeremy just laughed, which shocked her.
"Elena told he's not staying for long, and that you're not leaving with him."
"Not yet, but it doesn't matter. Our break period is over," She snapped. Was he trying to get himself killed? He smirked at this. Era was surprised at the nerve of him. He seemed sweet, but there was an undertone of danger that was alluring.
"Who's going to tell him? If you really don't care about me, then it shouldn't be a problem." Era looked away. The view was beautiful, and she tried to focus on that. They were paused at the top to let passengers on and off.
"Jeremy, don't. Don't be naïve. Klaus will kill you just on principle. It doesn't matter whether or not I care for you," She said softly. They were moving again, almost to the end of the ride.
"Then we best be sure we don't get caught. You want me, Era. And I want you. I came to the conclusion last night that I'm going to accept that I want this. You don't care for me like you do him, but you do want me. Think about it." He stepped off the ride. Era glared after him, hating him for putting himself at risk. Her slip of a conscious couldn't handle it if something were to happen to him because of her.
"What was that about, Era?" Klaus asked with his eyes narrowed. He held his hand out to help her out of the cage.
"He wanted to talk to me about getting you to leave town. Humans are so pathetic in their endeavors," She lied smoothly. He looked into her eyes, searching for the truth. Seemingly satisfied, he nodded.
"What's the big surprise you had to check with Rebekah for?" She questioned, trying to change the subject. His eyes lit up with a smile.
"You'll see tomorrow." Era made a whining noise. Klaus raised an eyebrow and shook his head.
"Let's go get something to eat." She sighed and nodded, knowing Klaus wouldn't tell her anything. They searched the crowd for someone delectable. A keening whine caught Era's attention. She looked towards the edge of the woods for the sound. Her sensitive eyes caught a dog's tail and the pursuit of humans following it. She tapped her lover on the shoulder and nodded in that direction. He listened carefully, and then started to walk that way.
The scene they came upon made Era shudder with anger. They were covered by trees so that the fair attenders couldn't seem them. Three men, obviously drunk, had cornered a dog. They were teasing and taunting him with sticks. Blood ran down the animal's right flank, and his muzzle was streaked with it. The dog was only of medium build, and trying desperately to make its way from its tormenters. It was snarling, but unwilling to get near the sticks the men held. They were laughing, which only made Era's anger grow. A blonde-headed man threw his beer bottle at the dog. It shattered against the dog's paw. The animal gave a loud yelp.
Era looked at Klaus, whose fangs had grown. They would teach these men what it was like to be toyed with. Era had killed many people in her lifetime, but never had she tortured an animal. They couldn't speak to defend themselves. They were innocent and pure, only giving into instinct. She ran at the men, appearing to be nothing but a blur. Her nails sliced through the man on the right. His blood sprayed in a fountain of red. It covered the blonde man.
He screamed, turned to his left, and vomited. The sight of his friend's mangled body terrified him. Neither of the remaining men could move from fear. Their heads swiveled in search for the thing that had brutally killed their companion. Their breaths came out in pants of spit and hot air. Klaus made his move as Era watched from a nearby tree. Klaus moved, grabbing the man on the left by the arm. He sent him flying to a tree, impaling him on the branch. The man shuddered. His eyes rolled to the back of his head, and blood dribbled down his chin. The blonde man whipped in circles, his eyes crazy with fear.
"Where are you?" He screamed, whipping around again. Era chuckled and dropped down to meet him. Klaus followed the suit. The dog whimpered softly and licked his paw. The man looked at them wildly.
"You know what I find funny, Klaus? That humans have the audacity to call us evil and barbaric. So hypocritical." She turned to address the dog's remaining tormenter, "You think it's ok what you've done to this innocent animal? Humans can think for themselves, and make their own choice. Animals are a part of instinct, and should be treated respectfully." She leaned down and petted the dog's head. He whined softly and licked her hand.
"Please don't kill me. I'll do anything," The man begged. Klaus stood by and watched as Era tormented the man. He had missed this.
"Hmmm why should I show you mercy? You weren't going to show this creature any."
"We were just having fun. I'm sorry." Era's eyes lit up in anger, and the man knew he had said the wrong thing.
"Well if you get to have fun then so do I." She grabbed him by the back of the neck and held him to the ground. She pulled his arm backwards, causing him to cry out. Era leaned down and put her lips by his ear.
"Shhh… Be quiet or I'll pull your tongue out," He hushed his sobs slightly, "This little piggy went to the market," Crack. She broke his finger, "This little piggy stayed home," Crack, "This little piggy had roast beef." Crack.
"Please! Please! I'll do anything." Era smiled and pulled him up to look at her. Her fangs grew, and veins spread throughout her face. Her eyes became distorted and black.
"What are you?" He asked.
"The big bad wolf." Era plunged her fangs into his neck, and the sweet red elixir slipped down her throat. The man's cries were dying down as the blood seeped into her pores. It ran down her chin and coated her clothes.
"Era, darling," Klaus started. She looked up, pausing in her drinking. Her eyes were vicious. Blood dripped from her fangs, and covered her mouth. Her lips were stained red. A snarl came from her at being interrupted. Klaus smiled, "Save me some."
!
Sheriff Forbes made her way into the dense forest alone. She had heard screams and yells from this area. The woman prayed that it was just kids messing around, but her years of dealing with vampires and instinct told her differently. She came upon the scene, and had to stop herself from emptying the contents of her stomach. There was blood everywhere, and the bodies of which it belonged to scattered in several directions. In the middle of the mess were two vampires. The beautiful woman cradled an injured dog in her arms. The man stood to the side, petting the woman's hair. Sheriff Forbes took a breath and raised her gun.
"Freeze!" The both looked up and Era hissed.
"Walk away," Klaus said laughingly.
"This gun is filled with wooden bullets. Now freeze!" Her voice was firm until the end. Era started to giggle.
"Oh no, Klaus, I think she's serious. Trust me; the world is better without these men." Era started towards the other woman, who lifted her gun higher.
"Take one more step and I'll shoot." Klaus put his hand on Era's shoulder. Wooden bullets wouldn't harm him, but Era wasn't immune to them.
"You better not. Klaus can't die from wooden bullets, and if you kill me you won't have even taken a breath before your life would have ended."
"Caroline is your daughter, correct? Interesting that someone so against vampires has one in the family. Pull that trigger and I can guarantee your daughter will be dead before the end of the night," Klaus threatened calmly. The sheriff took a shuddering breath, but didn't lower her weapon.
"Mom, don't!" Caroline came running towards them and snatched the gun away.
"Caroline, what are you doing?" Her mother yelled.
"Saving your life," Era replied. She walked up to Caroling, who cringed away. She pushed the dog into her arms, "Take him to a vet and find him a good home." Era grabbed Klaus's hand and pulled him back towards the carnival.
"Have a good day, ladies," He said. Sheriff Forbes surveyed the scene in front of her again, feeling slightly sick.
"Caroline, who are they?"
Ok that's the end. Please tell me what you think. I need good reviews to keep going. Next chapter: Klaus confronts Jeremy.